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Innovations in Aging

Master of Science

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Quick Facts

Credits Required: 36
Cost Per Credit: $707
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University of Arizona Health Sciences

Program Details

The Master of Science in Innovations in Aging program was developed to serve the growing aging adult population in Arizona, nationally, and globally. The program allows you to contribute to improving the lives of older adults and learn about the challenges and opportunities in developing a career in aging.

The program’s core courses prepare you to take a culturally competent, ethical, humanistic, and interdisciplinary approach to address the unique needs of the aging population. Also included are classes focused on different aging perspectives with an understanding of bias, equity, innovations in aging, and research methods appropriate for researching aging.

The Association of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Standards guides the curriculum. It provides you with the coursework and experience needed to apply for professional certification through the National Association of Professional Gerontologists (NAPG), pursue post-graduation career goals, and pursue doctoral education in aging sciences and related fields. 

The MS in Innovations in Aging program requires 36 units and is designed to be completed in two years. Twelve of the units for the degree are supplied by the certificate courses, which means when you have completed the certificate, you are 1/3 of the way to completing the Master’s degree. Another twelve units include the four required courses, and the remaining twelve are chosen from a broad list of electives aligned with your interprofessional interests.

The MS in Innovations in Aging program is one of 20 Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDP) approved and established by the Arizona Board of Regents. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries creating unique opportunities for students to pursue new research opportunities.

The MS program is also affiliated with the Arizona Center on Aging, which works to improve the quality of life for older adults through comprehensive programs in research, education and training, clinical care, and community engagement.
 

 

Prospective students must have at least either a bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in any discipline or graduate status (e.g., PharmD students).

*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.

Courses

This 36 credit program is divided between 12 credits from the Graduate Certificate, 12 credits core from the 4 courses listed below, and 12 electives selective from a list of pre-approved courses. The following are the core courses:

IIA 543: Perspectives in Aging
IIA 550: Bias, Ageism & Implications on Aging
IIA 551: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research on Aging
IIA 909: Applying Aging Innovations

Outcomes

Skills

Earning your Master of Science in Innovations in Aging will build core skills, including:

  • Understanding of gerontology-related research
  • Synthesizing and presenting knowledge
  • Research technologies
  • Deconstructing research
  • Self-evaluation
  • Understanding life-course perspective
  • Analyzing complex scenarios involving older adults
  • Summarizing ethical dilemmas
  • Interpreting the life experiences of adults
  • Understanding of long-term impacts
  • Interdisciplinary quality improvement
  • Learning gerontological theory
  • Creative problem solving

Graduates of the MS in Innovations in Aging program will be prepared to pursue the following careers:

  • Healthcare Provider
  • Gerontologist
  • Physician
  • Researcher
  • Nurse
  • Physical Therapist
  • Social Worker
  • Nutritionist
  • Pharmacist
  • Insurer
  • Healthcare Manager
  • Home Care and Long-Term Care Providers
  • Community-Based Support Worker
  • Government Service/Agency Employee
  • Product Designer or Technical Designer